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Discussion on Tunis Soft Soil Sensitivity

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Abstract

In Tunis City, the sensitivity of the marine deposits at shallow depth (z = 0–20 m) varies significantly. The influence of the process of the leaching out of Tunis soft soil on its geotechnical parameters is a focal point in this research. This process leads finally to moderate levels of sensitivity for Tunis clays since it appears to happen in a two steps with increasing sensitivity. The “hard water” leaching out and the dispersive action of organic matter (humus) lead unexpectedly to higher but still moderate level of sensitivity as measured on many Tunis sites. These sensitivity variations result from the combination of leaching out with hard ground water and high content of organic matter. This sensitivity attracted our attention and remains of high interest for the study of the behaviour of the Tunis soft clay.

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Acknowledgements

Authors gratefully thank Professor Hichem Smaoui (National Engineering School of Tunis) for his help while reviewing the last submitted paper version.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Université de Tunis El Manar. 05/UR/11-06, ENIT, BP 37 Le Belvédère 1002, Tunis, Tunisia

    Lamia Touiti & Mounir Bouassida

  2. Université de Gand-Technologiepark, 905-B-9052, Zwijnaarde, Belgium

    William Van Impe

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  1. Lamia Touiti
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  2. Mounir Bouassida
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  3. William Van Impe
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Correspondence to Mounir Bouassida.

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Touiti, L., Bouassida, M. & Van Impe, W. Discussion on Tunis Soft Soil Sensitivity. Geotech Geol Eng 27, 631–643 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-009-9263-2

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